2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class spotted; new A 35 AMG? (video)

Mercedes-Benz is said to be preparing a new semi-performance hot hatch, dubbed the A 35 AMG. What’s it all about? Well, here is a taste of its design.

A prototype has been spotted out and about during street test drives in Germany, wearing the upcoming A-Class body and plenty of disorienting camouflage wrapping. According to the video description, and judging by a few nifty clues, it’s the new A 35 variant.

According to reports the new variant will slot below the A 45, featuring a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing somewhere in the vicinity of 220kW. Keeping in mind the current A 45 AMG produces 280kW, this would be a nice intermediate step up from the 160kW A 250 (current spec).

It’s understood the new variant will come in as a rival to vehicles such as the Audi S3 Sportback and the BMW M140i. BMW will be launching the new 1 Series, probably around the same time as this new A-Class launches. The 1 Series will switch to a front-drive-based platform, with the M140i (or whatever it ends up being called) set to adopt an all-wheel drive configuration like the S3 and A 35/A 45.

Judging by the video, the A 35 AMG will feature only a discreet aero kit, with a subtle front spoiler and unique bumper bar, and a similarly reserved rear end with a flush diffuser section. It looks like it won’t sport the fashionable quad-outlet exhausts.

As for the overall design of the new A-Class, it will draw inspiration from the Concept A Sedan shown last year. Mercedes has sent out a few teasers of the new model, including showing the interior, potentially suggesting a debut is getting very near. Check out the spy video below for more.

Brett is the editor and founder of PerformanceDrive. He's obsessed with driving, having played with Matchbox cars until he was tall enough to drive a real one. After initially working as a mechanic, Brett earned a degree in journalism and entered media as an editorial assistant at Top Gear Australia magazine. He then worked at CarAdvice.com.au. His dream is to live next door to the Nurburgring in Germany.